The Lamb of God

To the people of the covenant, the Lord was very specific about how they were to offer sacrifices and celebrate His Holy Days. The reason they were commanded to be so precise in their worship was because all that they did pointed them in the direction of Jesus Christ. During the first Passover Feast the Children of Israel were saved from the last plague, pronounced by Pharaoh himself, of the death of the firstborn. This salvation came only because of the blood of the lamb, which was offered as a sacrifice.

Exodus 12: 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

By this token of blood, the Children of Israel would remember the power by which they were saved.

There was also very specific instruction about the lamb that was to be used in the Passover feast.

According to Exodus 12:

• It was to be male.
• It had to be a firstborn sheep.
• The lamb was to be without blemish.
• It had to be slain on a specific day at a specific time.
• It had to be roasted with fire.
• It was to be killed without one broken bone.
• It was to be eaten with bitter herbs.
• It had to be totally consumed or burned, leaving nothing.

The lamb that was to be offered was a type and a shadow for the Lamb of God that would become the last and great sacrifice. In all ways the Children of Israel were taught of Jesus Christ and his ability to save because of the blood he would shed for them.

In what way do you think these specifications pointed to Jesus Christ?

What Was So Great About King David Anyway?

I have often pondered why King David of the Old Testament was considered one of the greatest kings in Israel. Although he did many obedient things during his lifetime, he also did some not so hot things too. While studying in 2 Samuel this past week I believe I have found a reason why David was so special.

Saul, who started out strong as the king of Israel and the Lord’s anointed, simply went down hill fast. He became obsessed with David and jealous of David’s popularity with the people, and with the Lord himself. Pride and disobedience soon became the downfall of Saul, and the Lord withdrew from him. Most of Saul’s life was spent in pursuit of David, resulting in many attempts at David’s life. One amazing thing about David was his respect for the Lord’s anointed even when he didn't deserve it really, but I don’t think this is the true reason he was considered great.

After the death of Saul, Ishbosheth, who was the son of Saul, became ruler over the kingdom the Israel but David ruled Judah.

2 Samuel 2:8 ¶ But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;

9 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

10 Ish-bosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.

11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

These two rulers created a division in the kingdom, or in the Children of Israel. The division lasted seven years and six months. Upon the death of Ishbosheth, the tribes of Israel then came to David, and in his mercy and grace, he united the kingdom which was divided for the first time.

2 Samuel 5:1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.

3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel.

4 ¶ David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

This unification of the Children of Israel has never occurred again since. It was a great accomplishment and will only be repeated by Jesus Christ himself. In this way David is truly an Elias for Jesus Christ, who is the King of Kings.

I believe that is what made David so great. What do you think?